Diving apparatus for marine exploration and the like.



W. J. OCONNOR. DIvxNG APPARATUS PON MARINE EXPLORATION AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1913. 1,069,281; Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

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DIVING APPARATUS FOR MARINE EXPLORATION AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13. 1913.

Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

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WITNESSES I m f BY Ow d/ ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANouRAPn co.,w^sHlNGTnN, D. c.

entran sraras .rainer wie WILLIAM J'. OCONNOR, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OE ONE-HALF TO DENNIS OCONNOR, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

DIVING APPARATUS FOR MARINE EXPLORATION AND THE LIKE.

Application filed January 13, 1913.

To all whom @'15 may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. .OCoN- Non, a citizen of thezUnited States,.residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Diving Apparatus for Marine VExploration and the Like; and I dohereby declare the `following to be a. full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in diving apparatus; and, the present invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel device or apparatus for diving purposes and which may be used especially for submarine explorations, being of such construction, that a corps of men can be carried in a main central aircontaining` chamber or compartment, the said main central compartment having access to a series of smaller compartments, into which may be admitted a person `from the said main central compartment, and from which smaller compartments, persons can be admitted into the surrounding water, the persons, it will be understood, and as a matter of course, carrying the usual airproducing apparatus and wearing the usual air-containing helmet.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide a novel and simply constructed diving apparatus of the general character hereinafter more fully stated, which is adapted to carry a corps of men, who can pass freely from a main central air-containing compartment into .the surrounding water, and back again from the water into the air-compartment, without any water rushing from without into the main central air-compartment.

The invent-ion has for its further object to provide a diving apparatus of the general character stated which is especially adapted for sub-marine exploration, but which is also adapted to be used for lowering men down the side of a ship, within the surrounding water, when it becomes necessary to make repairs, the apparatus being easily carried on board of the ship, and by means of suitable mechanism being readily low- Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Auo. 5,1913.

Serial No. 741,634.

ered into the water, or raised therefrom on board the ship.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the present invention.

`lith the various objects of the present invention in view, the said invention consists, primar-ily, in the novel diving apparatus for sub-marine exploration hereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of t-he several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be more fully described in the Jfollowing specification, and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional representation of a diving apparatus made according to and showing one embodiment of the principles of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same, said sectionbeing represented as being taken on line 22 in said Fig. 1.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference-character l indicates the complete diving apparatus, the same comprising a suitably formed plate or platform, as 2, usually of a circular marginal configuration. Suitably mounted and secured upon said plate or platform 2 is the previously mentioned main central compartment 3, this compartment being preferably made of cylindrical conformation and being surmounted by a cone-shaped top, as 4E. Suitably affixed to the said top are suitably constructedk sheaves, as 5, around the wheels of which are passed suitable cables or fieXible connections 6., by means of which the apparatus may be lowered from the deck of a vessel into the water, or may be raised and lifted from the water onto the deck of the vessel, by means of snitf ably constructed lowering and raising devices, as will be clearly understood. The said compartment 3 may also be provided in its vertical walls with glass or other transparent port-holes or windows 7, and suitably shaped openings, as 3, which are adapted to be closed by means of suitably con structed sealing-doors 9, which, when closed, form with the walls of the compartment 3, the platform 2, and the top 4, a watertight chamber, large enough for the reception of a corps of men prior to being lowered into the water. Fresh air is supplied within the coi'npartment 3 by means of any suitably constructed and well-known producer, as 10, with which the compartment 3 is provided.

As shown, the plate or platform 2 is made larger than the lower part of the compart-ment 3, so as to provide walking spaces, in the form of a balcony 11, which may be provided with a railing 12. Suitably located upon and secured to said balcony and to the outer surface of the vertical walls of the compartment 3, are shells or casings 13, each shell or casing 13 being of such size that they will provide with portions of the plate or platform 2 and with the compartment 3, at the points where the sealingdoors 9 are located, a series of small chambers or compartments 14, each chamber or compartment being of such size so as to comfortably receive a man. The said compartments 14 are provided in their vertical walls with glass or other transparent portholes or Windows, as 15, and with suitably shaped openings, as 16, which are adapted to be closed by means of suitably constructed sealing-doors 17, which, when closed, also form with the walls of the shells or casings 13, the outer wall-portions of the compartment 3, and the platform-portions, the said water-tight compartments 14 herein-above mentioned. Directly below the plate or platform 2 and the balcony 11 is a cylindrical or other suitably shaped element or memA ber 13, which is provided with a bottomplate 19, and which provides with the said plate or platform 2 and the balcony 11, a suitable receiving compartment or chamber 20, substantially as shown in said F ig. 1 of the drawings, and for the purposes to be presently more fully set forth. In the sides of the said shells or casings 13, so as to admit water from without into the interior of the chambers or compartments 14, are suitably constructed inlet-valves or cocks, as 21; and, in order to empty the chambers or compartments 14 of the water contained therein, when necessary, each chamber or compartment 14 is provided in its bottom or those parts of the balcony 11 upon which the shells or casings rest, with suitably formed outlet-valves, as 22, which can be manually opened, when desired, so that any water contained within a compartment 14 may be permitted to flow into the receiving chamber or compartment 20.

If desired, the plate or platform 2 may be formed with a suitable opening which can be sealed by means of a removable coverplate, as 23,so as to provide a man-hole, for the admission, when necessary, of a person from the compartment 3 into the compartment or chamber 20. Air-valves, as 24, may also be arranged in the plate or platform 2, if desired, so as to allow air to pass from the chamber 20 into the compartment 3, and to readily allow the water to flow from the compartments 14 into the chamber 29, when the outlet-valves 22 have been opened.

As shown, the bottom-plate 19, hereinabove mentioned, is also provided with an opening in which is arranged a closing device, as 25, and from which extends a stem 26 having a screw-threaded part 27 which is adapted to work in the nut-portion 29 of a standard 28 within the chamber or compart ment 3, said stem 26 being provided within the compartment 3 with a hand-wheel 30 for operating the stem 26, so as to raise or lower the closing device 25, at will and as will be clearly evident.

Having in the foregoing described the general construction of the diving apparatus for marine explorations, I will now briefly set forth the manner of using the same.

A complement of men is admitted through the compartments 14 into the main compartment 3, and all doors 9 and 17 are firmly closed, thereby providing all the compara ments 3 and 14 with sufficient air to enable the men to remain therein, fresh air or oxygen being readily produced by the device 10 within the compartment 3. All the inlet-valves or cocks 21, as well as the outlet valves 22, and the closing device 25 having also been closed, the device is now lowered over the side of the ship into the water. After the apparatus has been lowered to the point desired, the water and parts outside of the apparatus can be observed through the windows 7, and when it is necessary for a. man to go outside upon the balcony 11, or into the surrounding water, for exploration or for repairs to the side of a ship, the person or diver opens a door 9 from the compartment 3 and enters one of the smaller compartments 14, securely closing the door 9 after him. He now opens the inlet-valve or cock 21, and thereby fills the compartment 14 with water from the outside. As soon as the compartment 14 is filled with water, the door 17 in the shell or casing 13 can be readily opened, as the pressure upon both sides of the door 17 has become equalized. The man now passes either upon the platform 11 or into the water. Any number of men can thus pass from the compartment 3 into any one or more of the compartments 14 and thence to the platform or into the surrounding water, the men upon the outside of the apparatus being observed by those remaining within the compartment 3,

through thewindows 7. 'After la Eman 'has .returned vinto the :compartment or ychamber 14, =he again ilirmly gcloses .the door v1.7 .and also the inlet-valve 1 or V:cock E21, but .opens the outlet-valve 22, fthereby :permitting Athe -wa- -ter to flow 1from the compartment 14 into the receiving chamber or 'compartment 20. As soon as the compartment 14 has been 'emptied of fthe water, the ido'or i9 fis again opened, to lpermit ithe iman to *once lfmore enter the lmain compartment i3. Thus,'iit `wi'll be evident, lthatfa man `orany number of imen -may pass from the compartment J3 into the water, and 'may freturn rom the water into the 1 compartment i3, without the admission of lwater into the ymalin compartmentB. `After 'the-apparatus has again been Yraised out of the water, :all doors Emay 'be `opened for fthe exit .otlthe men; and, also, the `device 25 may be lrai-sed from 4its fseat lin -ithe bottoni-plate 19, so as to :allow water contained -in the ycompartment Ior Schamber 2O yto 'jpass out therefrom.

From an inspectioniotftherdrawings, 4.it will be clearly seen, thatthe arrangement of lthe various openingsS 4and 116, :and of the Adoors 9 and 15 is such, rtlia't .any water-pressure against the doors 'will `tend -to more ltightly :hold the-doors closed, -so that the doors are tightly sealed iin lvthe y*respective openings of the walls of the compartment i3 and ithe shells lor casings I3, Vwhereby the -gpossibility -oi'any water `leaking into lthe main compartment 3 is tul'ly-oif'ercome. A pump ina-y also be provided for removing 'the water from the diving apparatus.

I am fully aware that various varrangements may be-made in 1the;general arrangement and combinations of the lvarious devices and parts, as well as in the details .ot the construction fof Lthe `said 4parts, withdut,

departing from the scope of the present invention. tion to the exact arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts as described in the foregoing specification, noi' do I conne myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim l. A diving apparatus comprising a main compartment adapted to receive a corps ot men, an auxiliary compartment and a means of communication between said compartments, means for normally closing said means of communication, said auxiliary compartment being provided with an outlet, means for normally closing said outlet, means connected with said auxiliary compartment for flooding the same with water, all combined with a main water-receiving compartment, means connected with said auxiliary compartment Jfor conducting the water from said flooded compartment into said main water-receiving compartment,

Hence, I do not limit my inven- :said :main Vwater-receiving compartment belng provided with an outlet,a-closing device 1normally seated in .said outlet Vfor closing ithe same, and ymeans connected with said closing fdevice and extending `into ithe main :compartment for the manipulation of said closing device.

2. A'diving apparatus comprising a base- Aplateformingz;.a :platform and a balcony, a main -cliambered .body or compartment mounted upon said Vbase-plate, a series of `smaller auxiliary compartments mounted `upon balcony, a meansofcommunication between-eachauxiliary compartment and said main compartment, means for normally V'closing said means of communication, each #auxiliar-y compartmentbeing yprovided with ian outlet, and `means for Vnormally closing -eac'h outlet, :a water-inlet 4cock connected with each auxiliary compartment for floodvingt-he same, Aand a water-outlet valve connected with each auxiliary compartment.

3. A diving-apparatus comprising a -baseplate forming a platform .and a balcony, a main Vcliambered body or compartment -mounted uponsaid base-plate, a series of 4smaller lauxiliary Vcompartments mounted upon balcony, a means of communication between `each auxiliary compartment and said main compartment, means for `normally closing said means `of communication, each auxiliary `compartment being pro- =vided with an outlet, and means. for norlmally closing eaclifoutlet,:a water-inlet cock connected with Veach auxiliary compartment for flooding the same, all combined with a kchambered water -receiving' compartment connected `with fand extending downwardly 1Jfrom said platform and balcony, .and a water-outlet valve connected with each auxilviary'compartment :for conducting the water :trom said flooded compartments into said Water-receiving compartment.

4. A diving apparatus *comprising a baseplate forming a platform and a balcony, a main chambered body or compartment mounted upon said base plate, a series of smaller auxiliary compartments mounted upon balcony, a means of communication between each auxiliary compartment and said main compartment, means for normally closing said means of communication, each auxiliary compartment being provided with an outlet, and means for normally closing each outlet, a water-inlet cock connected with each auxiliary compartment for flooding the same, all combined with a chambered water-receiving compartment connected with and extending downwardly from said platform and balcony, and a water-outlet valve connected with each auxiliary compartment for conducting the water from said flooded compartments into said waterreceiving compartments, said main waterreceiving compartment being provided with an outlet, a closing' device normally seated' in said outlet for closing' the same, and means connected With said closing device and extending` into the main compartment for the manipulation of said closing' device.

5. rlhe herein described diving apparatus comprising a base-plate forming a platform and a. balcony, a cylindrical shell mounted upon said platform, a cone-shaped top con nected With said shell, sheaves connected with said top, and cables running' upon said sheaves, said cylindrical. shell being' formed with openings, a door hinged in each opening, a series ot' auxiliary casing's mounted upon said balcony and connected with the outer surface of said cylindrical shell, so as to provide' smaller auxiliary compartments, an opening' connected with each auxiliary compartment and a door hinged in each opening', a Water-inlet cock connected with each auxiliary compartment for 'flooding the same, and a Waterwoutlet valve connected with each auxiliary compartment.

G. The herein described diving apparatus comprising' a base-plate forming' a platform and a balcony, a cylindrical shell mounted upon said platform, a cone-shaped top connected with said shell, sheaves connected With said top, and cables running' upon said sheaves, said cylindrical shell being formed With oi'iening's, a door` hinged in each opening', a series of auxiliary casings mounted upon said balcony and connected with the outer surface of said cylindrical shell, so as to provide smaller auxiliary compartments, an opening connected With each auxiliary compartment and a door hinged in each opening', a Water-inlet cock connected with each auxiliary compartment for flooding' the same, all combined with a chamber-ed Water-receiving' compartment connected With and extending downwardly from said platform and balcony, and a Water-outlet valve connected with each auxiliary compartment for conducting' the Water from said flooded compartments into said Water-receiving compartment.

7. The herein described diving' apparatus comprising a base-plate forming` a platform and a balcony, a cylindrical shell mounted upon said platform, a cone-shaped top connected with said shell, sheaves connected with said top, and cables running' upon said sheaves, said cylindrical shell being' formed ivith openinf ;s` a door hinged in each open ing', a series of auxiliary casings mounted upon said balcony and connected With the outer surface of said cylindrical shell, so as to provide smaller auxiliary compartments, an opening' connected With each auxiliary compartment and a door hinged in each opening', a Water-inlet cool; connected With each auxiliary compartment for flooding' the same, said main unter-receiving' compartment being' provided with an outlet, a closing' device normally seated in said outlet tor closing' the same, and means connected with said closing' device and extending` into t-he main compartment for the manipulation oit said closing device.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above l have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of January, 1913.

WILLIAM J. OCONNOR.

Wlitn esses Fiznox. C. FRAENTZEL, Fnnnx. H. W. FnanNrznL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for tive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

